oOo

In the end, Edward left without Bella, saying that he had some errands to run. The way he said it, she was almost certain that he had not bought one Christmas present yet.

Since she had everything ready, she decided to give Leah a call and tell her the wonderful news.

Her friend wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Bella had hoped, and she was disappointed.

"Of course I'm happy for you," Leah said. "It's just, there's been so much shit going on. I'm not sure he's a very stable person, Bella, that's all. I don't want you to get hurt."

"But we talked, Leah!"

Bella was pacing her living room, plucking dead leaves off plants, patting pillows, placing all her shoes in one line.

She'd considered changing the bed sheets, but decided against it. She wanted to go to sleep with Edward's scent around her.

"He opened up to me in a way he's never done before. He told me about what happened with his wife."

"Did you sleep with him?"

"What's that got to do with it?" Bella said, irritated.

"I just want to make sure he's not telling you some pity-story to get you between the sheets," Leah said.

Bella was getting crabby.

"If you have to know, yes, he got me between the sheets, but no, there was no sex. We didn't even kiss that night. But you will probably use that against him, as well! Really, Leah. Why can't you believe that I'm right? That he's a good, honest person?"

"I believe you," Leah defended herself. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I hope you are referring to protection," Bella grumbled. "Anyway, you'll meet him. He's coming to our party."

"He is? As your…"

"As my boyfriend," Bella said, and her heart jumped with pride as she said the words. "And if you will excuse me now, I need to catch the tube to go to my boyfriend's house. He's expecting me."

"Alright," Leah laughed. "Have fun, sweetheart. And do use protection, okay?"

"Psh."

But Bella laughed too as the two friends said goodbye.

.

Edward was waiting for her at the front door of his house as she arrived a couple of hours later. He looked fresh and serene, dressed in jeans and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up.

"Bella."

His arms went around her waist and he smiled happily, placing dozens of kisses on her lips, her nose, and cheeks.

"I missed you," he smiled, shutting the door behind her, helping her out of her coat.

"Missed you too."

For a few moments, they just beamed at each other. Edward pulled her close again, wrapping his arm around her waist as they walked to the living room.

"Did you get everything done?" she asked.

They sat down, and she noticed that he'd made tea. He had laid out lovely china with an intricate Victorian design. There was also a plate with cucumber sandwiches and one with strawberries.

"Almost," he replied. He kissed her cheek. "What did you do?"

"Nothing much. Talked to Leah on the phone."

"Is she going to be at your party?" he asked.

"Yes. Her parents and her brother are coming too, they are old family friends."

Edward didn't respond, and after a moment, she looked up at his profile. It was a breathtaking profile that you could cut glass with.

"What is it?"

She took his hand.

Edward looked at her with a very touching expression, shrugging lightly.

"I just can't believe you're here with me, Bella." He played with a strand of her hair.

"You'd better believe it," she smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

She started to kiss him, and what began as light and playful, soon turned into breathless and quite, quite serious.

oOo

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the overwhelming response to the last chapters! You guys are the very best!

Your

harperpitt